The entrepreneur pointed out that 2026 will be a crucial year for the country in maritime matters, not only because of what happened with the concession of the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, but also because the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced the bidding for two new ports to diversify its operations and increase the profitability of the interoceanic route.
The president of the Cciap indicated that he views "favorably" that the Executive Body has made the decision not to grant the concession for the Balboa and Cristóbal ports to the same company to ensure greater participation in the bidding processes.
"Panama, in the coming months, will move forward with tenders for four ports, two in the Pacific, two in the Atlantic, and the world's most important companies have let us know they are interested," he stated.
He clarified that once this stage is concluded, both ports will be handed over to different entities, a decision he hopes will be respected, as Panama will not allow itself to be "threatened" by any other state, referring to the reaction of the Chinese authorities.
The bidding for four port terminals in Panama, according to the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), Juan Arias Strunz, is arousing the interest of major international companies in the sector due to the isthmus's strategic position and logistical competitiveness.
The ACP estimates that the construction of two new ports located in Corozal and Telfers Island will absorb between 5 and 6 million containers per year; therefore, last January it made its requirements known to the market.
President José Raúl Mulino explained that while the parameters for the bidding of these ports are being established, the company APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the AP Moller-Maersk group, will be in charge of them, maintaining all the personnel hired by the previous administration.
"Once the transition process is completed, we will focus on the decision to review the scheme of these two Panamanian ports separately. It is worth noting that both terminals will continue to be administered by the company Panama Ports Company until the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) that declared its contract with the State 'unconstitutional' becomes final and the transition process begins.
"There will no longer be a concession for two ports under the same company; it will be divided, and it will be discussed," he said in his recent weekly conversation.
